[CivicMPG]

Originally Posted by California98Civic

I have the 1988-1990 CRX Honda factory manual. Here is a screenshot of the pulley belts. Like the 5th Gen and the 6th Gen, the belts appear to be separate:

If this holds true to my engine, that would be great! So my issue was this as far as the A/C. They previous owner just said it doesn't work. so I was picking up some bulbs for blinking and brake lights and decided what the heck, i'll pick up a small can of Freon, while filling it up made my engine jump a bit and started a sound like a rattling pulley, now it still has the sound, when I turn the A/C on it gets really loud and shakes the car. Still no cold air though. If I turn the A/C off it quiets down but is still there. so figuring my A/C pump and/or condenser are bad. Wondering if I just cut the A/C belt if it will quit making the rattling noise altogether, and worry about fixing it next summer if I need it with the heat. thoughts? I'm not the most mechanically inclined, but willing to get my hands dirty. The engine still runs fine so I am pretty sure the noise is from the a/c just not sure why.



I run without my power steering. My 1998 civic is a little heavier than yours. You can do it, easy. I would however experiment by first removing the belt only. You'll get all the MPG gains and still have the whole system if you want to reverse the mod.

If your AC compressor has an electromagnetic switch on the pulley, like the 6th Gen does, then all you really need to do to get virtually all the MPG savings from an AC delete is avoid turning the AC on. The pulley will be freewheeling. The question is whether you have a compressor with the electromagnetic pulley.

Then the alternator. You can pick up a few MPG here. Get a big deep cycle 12 volt battery from Walmart or somewhere... get at least 40 ahr. Then install a switch to turn off your alternator on demand. Charge the battery by plugging in over night and in emergencies by turning on the alternator.

This is an interesting idea, is there significant MPG gains from it?

Those reduced loads will cut your fuel use and give you a few (maybe more than a few) MPG.

Change tires with Low Rolling Resistance Micelin Defenders. They cost more but they last twice as long as lots of tires and they will get better FE. Make those tires taller and thinner than stock for the gearing benefits on your freeway commute.

I had to change out the front tires when i picked up the car and the only ones i could find were from Discount Tire, and they were the Michelin Defenders 175/70R13, so I guess I lucked out with those for now, when I can get some more saved up i'll replace the backs with them as well, they are old, mix matched and worn.

(BTW, if you want this 1990 CRX manual, PM me an email address and I will try to send it to you. It is a big file.)

Is there much difference between whats in the manual and my 91 civic?